A Parent's Guide to International Schools in Singapore

When moving to Singapore, choosing a good school for your children to attend is of the utmost importance. International schools offer a unique opportunity to students to interact and learn with other kids from all over the world. Furthermore, Singapore is home to international schools that were founded with expats from a particular country in mind, so that students learn with others from their home country and retain the language and culture of their parents.

Below we have compiled a list of the international schools of Singapore by country, along with a brief description of the school and its location. You may find this useful for getting an idea of what Singapore has to offer you kids. After all, there is not much that is more important during a child's formative years than their education.

Australia

Integrated International School (IIS): Located in Clementi, IIS teaches students in grade 1 through to 12 and focuses on keeping teachers engaged with students by having superior teacher-to-student ratios. The school boasts that this ratio will be no worse than 1:8 and each class will consist of a teacher and a teaching aid. Australian parents may be happy to know that IIS will educate your children with a curriculum based on Australian national standards.

Australian International School Singapore: People living near Serangoon Gardens may be interested to enroll their children at this school that teaches Preschool through to Year 12 students. The school's Mother Tongue program allows foreign students whose native language is not English to take their native language as an academic subject. AIS strives to develop well-rounded youngsters that accept and appreciate peoples' differences.

Avondale Grammar School Singapore: This Tanglin-based school is host to young students from Preschool through to Year 6. Having been in existence since 2007, AGS enrollment has already grown to over 300 students, who are mostly children of expatriates. Youngsters here are educated with a New South Wales curriculum, and are encouraged to develop a lifelong love of learning, as well as self-confidence, independence and resilience.

Canada

Canadian International School (Singapore): Established in 1989, Canadian International School actually has 2 campuses in Singapore. The Lakeside Campus, that teaches students through Grade 12, found on Jurong West Street and the Tanjong Katong Campus, that teaches kids through Grade 9. Facilities of the school include a 2 story library, sports facilities and a Performing and Fine Arts Centre. Core values of the school include responsibility, collaboration, integrity, commitment and respect.

China

Chinese International School Singapore: Based on Duneam Road, CNIS serves students from Kindergarten through High School. The school fully integrates Chinese and Western cultures to fully utilize all the advantages that Singapore has to offer. CNIS teaches children to be bilingual in both Chinese and English, and works towards molding students into "caring, thinking and morally upright... global citizens."

France

French School of Singapore: Also known as Lycee Francais de Singapore, this school models its curriculum on the French education system. The school promotes itself to be ranked as one of the best French schools outside of France and educates Primary, Lower and Upper Secondary students

Germany

German European School Singapore: GESS has 2 campuses. The main campus on Tinggi Road teaches Preschool and Secondary School students, while the Junior School at Jalan Jurong Kechil teaches Pre-primary School. This school is especially attractive to German expats, as it offers both German and English curriculum. The school's values are modeled around the motto Learning, Living and Giving.

India

DPS International School Singapore: Named for Delhi Public School Society in India, this school, found on Aroozoo Avenue, is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence. In fact, the school achieved a 100% pass percentage following the ICSE Board examinations of 2006 and 2007. The school believes itself to be a significant trend setter in Singapore and desires to educate not only a student's mind, but also their body and heart. The school teaches children and young people of all grade levels.

Global Indian International School Singapore: GIIS is 1 in a chain of 21 schools around the world, and the first Indian international school in Singapore. It currently has 3 campuses that can be found in Queenstown, Cheviot Hill and Balestier. Having won multiple awards and educating from Primary level all the way through Junior College, GIIS is definitely an international school to consider.

NPS International: Parents living near Bedok may want to consider this school that offers education at Montessori and Kindergarten levels,as well as Grades 1 through 12. The school has high aspirations and expectations for its students, as it drives them to create a better world. This is accomplished by creating students that are "active, compassionate, lifelong learners."

Yuvabharathi International School: Teaching kids from Kindergarten all the way through to Secondary School, YBIS is a modern school that utilizes online learning with an emphasis on projects and multimedia assisted. Indian parents will be happy to know that the school, located in Jurong West, has a vegetarian cafeteria and all the other school facilities that they would expect.

Japan

Singapore Japanese School: This school, founded in 1912, provides and promotes education in Japanese for both Primary and Secondary students. 2 different Primary School campuses can be found in Clementi and Changi, and a Secondary School is located on the West Coast. SJS has all the facilities a modern school should have, including sports facilities. Japanese expats will no doubt want to consider this school that focuses on mental, physical and moral development.

Netherlands

Hollandse School: Dutch expatriates will be happy to know that there is a school for their young ones in Singapore. Hollandse School advertises itself as having inspiring teachers, creating passionate learners and teaching skills for life.

Singapore

International School Singapore: Consisting of 2 campuses, a Primary and Middle School on Paterson Road and a High School on Preston Road, ISS is a good option for parents that want their child to receive an education in a truly international environment without the regional focus of some other schools. ISS challenges students to be open-minded, inquiring thinkers that have the confidence to take risks.

Anglo-Chinese School (International) Singapore: New students in Central Singapore should check out ACS. This Methodist private school aims to give students a spirit of excellence, service and loyalty through Christian values. The student body here is comprised of people from over 30 different nations.

Nexus International School Singapore: Small class sizes and excellent on-site sports facilities are only a couple of the advantages offered by this school that's mission is to nurture and support students' emotional, physical, creative and intellectual needs. Even though the school only hosts 400 students, the student body comes from over 50 different countries. New visitors to Singapore may want to head over to Ulu Pandan Road and check it out.

EtonHouse International Primary School and Preschool: EtonHouse has schools all over Singapore. The education company sites part of its mission as partnering with families and the community to acknowledge and respond to each student's potential.

Hwa Chong International School: Since 2005 HCIS has been providing Secondary education to international and local students at its Bukit Timah Road location. Although all classes are taught in English (except for Chinese) the school describes itself as a Chinese High School. HCIS is a good option for Chinese expats that want their children to become proficient in English. The school believes in using both positive and negative motivators to guide students' behavior. Positive motivators include early promotion to a higher grade or selection for overseas visits.

Overseas Family School: This privately owned Pre-K-12 school is host to over 3,500 students from over 70 different countries. Located in Orchard, OFS has modern facilities to help kids learn and play, including 6 adventure playgrounds, 5 art and design studios, a drama centre, sports fields and swimming pools. The faculty here uses modern teaching methods to help students set and achieve their personal academic goals.

Rosemary Hall Montessori Kindergarten: Marina Square is home to this school for very young children. Rosemary Hall uses the Montessori Method of Education that takes advantage of a child's highly 'absorbent' mind by focusing on learning through experience rather than words.

SJI International: SJI is a Catholic international school located on Thomson Road that consists of a Primary and a Secondary School. The school offers students an extensive number of extracurricular activities and clubs to engage in to develop skills and interact with peers. SJI encourages students to become critical thinkers, face new challenges and achieve their full potential.

One World International School Singapore: Located on Upper Changi Road East, this multicultural, non-denominational school is small and very much focused on creating a community within the student body. Serving both Primary and Secondary students, One World's mission is to nurture internationally minded, accepting, compassionate youngsters.

Chatsworth International School: Chatsworth has a number of schools in Singapore: 2 Kindergartens in Piccadilly Circus and Bedok, a Primary School on Jalan Tembusu Road and a Primary and Secondary School in Orchard. Chatsworth and its international faculty task themselves with the goal of inspiring, educating and enlightening their students with an emphasis on cultural diversity and international community.

South Korea

Singapore Korean International School: SKIS is a K-12 school that was founded in 1993 and is located on Bukit Tinggi Road. The Korean staff of the school site their primary goal as fostering world-class leaders who can represent Korea and gain recognition for Korea from all over the world. Even though it is an international school, Korean parents will be happy to know that the school teaches Korean culture, art and language.

Switzerland

Swiss School in Singapore: Immediately you will be able to see the difference between SSiS and other international schools. The tropical forest environment found in Bukit Timah, where the school is located, is a stark contrast to the more urban parts of the city. The schools maintains a bilingual curriculum that follows Swiss Government standards at its Primary and Secondary Schools. This curriculum tries to challenge the students intellectually, physically, emotionally and socially.

UK

Dover Court Preparatory School: Located on Dover Road, this British school is primarily concerned with the cognitive, physical, spiritual, moral and cultural development of its students. Dover Court educates students from Nursery School through to Year Twelve. With approximately 600 students, the school has small class sizes, and also has staff and equipment to look after disabled children.

Insworld Institute: This Secondary School can be found near Little India MRT station and aims to create a community where students are encouraged to participate in a wide range of activities, including sports, inter-house competitions and community service programmes. Insworld strives to adhere to the highest standards of British Education while creating responsible individuals with a passion for learning.

Tanglin Trust School: Students of all ages can get their education at Tanglin Trust School. Located in the city's One-North area, the school provides a British-based education with an international perspective. Parents concerned with the self esteem of their children should know that part of Tanglin's mission is make each student feel happy, valued and successful.

United World College of South East Asia: UWCSEA has 2 campuses in Singapore, 1 on Dover Road and the other on Tampines Street, that both teach students at all grade levels. The school has the goal for itself of educating individuals to embrace challenges and take responsibility for shaping a better world. Each school has different facilities, so see which one is right for your child.

USA

International Community School (Singapore): ICS Singapore, found on Jubilee Road, advertises itself as the only non-denominational Christian school in Singapore, but does not restrict admission based on religion. Teaching K-12, the school works to provide an education that instills a biblical worldview, a love and respect for all cultures and a passion for learning.

Singapore American School: If you travel to the Woodlands area of Singapore, you may find this school that has been around since 1956. SAS has an American-based curriculum and serves grades Preschool through 12. SAS is able to boast having the largest number of high school students enrolled in Advanced Placement Program courses of any international school in thew world. The school has many modern amenities, including school-wide WiFi, outdoor covered playgrounds, a photography studio, a performing arts facility and an athletic complex.

Stamford American International School: Serangoon-based SAIS caters to students 2 years of age or older. Stamford has set for itself the goal of becoming the leading American international school in Singapore and achieving a global reputation for excellence. Faculty educate kids with an emphasis on preparing them for admission to competitive universities all over the world and creating leaders with open and innovative minds.